Die, die, we all pass away,

But don't wear a frown 'cause it's really okay,

And you might try and hide,

And you might try and pray,

But we all end up the remains of the day

-Remains of the Day; from Corpse Bride (2005)


Haru understood the dangers that came with opening the back door. He understood that Kiri shinobi could very well be standing on the other side, maybe even hiding. He knew that he didn't stand a chance if he were attacked. Haru's life on the island allowed him to enjoy the ways of a pacifist. All inhabitants of the island were pacifists. That was the only way the people knew. But Haru, who'd spent his whole life never even raising a hand in anger, wished he'd grown up differently. The Land of Heavens was under attack. The High Priestess had given birth to a child, an act never before recorded in the island's history. And now. . .now Haru had to travel all the way to his rendezvous without getting attacked. It seemed impossible, but it had to happen.

If the Priestess's child didn't get to safety, then Haru's purpose, his promise, will be broken. Unfulfilled. One of the main beliefs on the island is the fulfillment of one's purpose. A kind of "destiny", of sorts. The High Priestess's purpose — her destiny — was to birth a child. Haru's was to deliver the child to the Land of Fire. The people of the island. . .their purpose was much more gruesome.

Looking down at the child, for one last time, Haru tried to gather up his strength and courage. He had to keep himself intact for the child. He had to keep himself, and the infant, safe, as promised to the High Priestess.

Haru's eyes softened a bit as he looked at the infant. Her face was partially covered by the blanket, but he could still see parts of her. The child's olive skin and silvery white hair. Her big gray eyes and curious features. She bore so many similarities to the High Priestess, and the powers the child would obtain in the future. . .

Just another reason to keep her safe.

"Stay quiet, Small Lady," Haru murmured, "and we'll get through this fine."

Adjusting the infant enough to feel she was at least somewhat protected, Haru opened the back door. He felt his heart hammering painfully in his chest, his blood running cold and his head momentarily spinning. He wasn't sure what he'd encounter, and, certainly, the unknown lived up to his expectations. The High Priestess's home was built in such a way, that it had a tremendous view. Where the Priestess lived had a beautiful view of the landscape, showing where many of the island's inhabitants lived. And what Haru saw, after opening that back door, was something horrifying. He saw fires and blood and bodies. He saw Kiri shinobi running around, using their jutsu to slaughter any civilian they came across.

Letting out a shaky breath, Haru hurriedly made his way outside. Looking back at the house for a moment, he felt a sense of guilt wash over him. The High Priestess was still inside, and every muscle in his body was screaming at him to go back and get her. Except, saving her wasn't his purpose. When the shinobi started attacking, after the Small Lady's birth, all protection immediately went to the Priestess's daughter. Forcing himself to look away, Haru set his jaw and started walking. He had to get to the rendezvous point. He'd do whatever he could to make it to the very end.

(ノ´ヮ`)ノ*: ・゚

The devastation the Kiri shinobi were causing was beyond comprehension. Haru thought what he was seeing from the High Priestess's home was bad, but seeing it up close was something else entirely. Dismembered, mutilated bodies were scattered everywhere. Blood stained the ground, the walls, anywhere it could possibly reach. And the smell of it. . .the smell was enough to make Haru's stomach lurch. But he continued on, being as careful as possible. He knew the shinobi hadn't left yet, not until every person on the island had been slaughtered.

Take careful, but quick, steps, Haru thought. He kept the baby as close to him as he possibly could, not for a second wanting to lower his guard with her in his arms. The rendezvous point is at the docks. All you have to do is make it to the docks.

Carefully, Haru stepped over another mutilated body. His foot ended up in a pool of blood, the liquid having gathered around the body's missing arm. It took everything in Haru's power to not wretch at the sight. After managing to successfully step over the body, he swallowed thickly. He'd already stepped over and scurried by so many of the deceased. Many of them were old comrades, people he'd known his whole life. It broke his heart, while still weakening his stomach, to see his old friends so gruesomely murdered.

Another small whimper. Tears were forming in the baby's eyes, her bottom lip trembling. The very sight caused Haru's blood to run cold.

"Don't cry, Small Lady," Haru whispered, quickening his pace.* "Please, don't cry."

The first cry to escape her mouth caused a jolt of fear to burst through his body. The sound itself was high-pitched, sharp and a bit wobbly. The fear that pulsed through Haru intensified. If any shinobi were nearby, they sure as hell would hear her cries.

With that, Haru started running. He stumbled over bodies, slipped on the blood, and nearly fell multiple times. He did his best to try and put distance between himself and the shinobi, but he knew that it probably wouldn't help. Haru wasn't as experienced as the enemies were. He didn't possess their agility or fighting techniques. He didn't possess anything even remotely valuable when it came to combat. But that didn't mean Haru couldn't try to do something. He had to keep moving, he had to keep in mind that he was getting himself and the Small Lady to safety. Nothing else mattered but that.

Damn the docks for being so far, Haru thought bitterly. And damn these shinobi. What have we done to them to deserve such a fate?

As the Small Lady's cries became louder, the fear that seemingly washed over Haru's body started to change; transform. In a matter of seconds, it became determination. If the Small Lady was going to cry, then that gave Haru even more motivation to get to the docks. He couldn't afford to be careful anymore. The whole game changed the second she started crying.

With his newfound motivation, Haru started running. He was aware of how loud his footfalls sounded, and how the Small Lady's cries only seemed to grow louder and louder. He knew that by running, he'd get to the docks faster, and the chances of getting to the second rendezvous point would rise a little. But Haru had to keep in mind the fact that Kirigakure shinobi would appear at any point to stop them.

Don't you dare stop for any reason, Haru thought. You'll be out of this mess in no time — you and the Small Lady will be. As long as you keep moving forward, you'll reach your destination.

And gods, did it feel like that was going to happen. Haru felt as though luck was on his side in those few moments. No shinobi, not a single one, seemed to be focusing on them. It was odd, maybe even a bit unusual, but there'd be no complaining. None at all. The only thing Haru focused on was keeping the Small Lady as close to her as possible, avoiding the bodies and not slipping on the blood, and keeping an eye out for the docks. He had to keep that focus going, it was important he do so.

Time itself seemed to go in all kinds of directions as Haru ran. Sometimes it felt fast, like everything was becoming a blur. He couldn't tell how much time had gone since he left the High Priestess's home, and it rattled his mind. Other times, it felt as though time were slowing down. Haru felt as though he could see every little thing around him. Every speck of blood, every kunai jammed in trees and buildings, and every mutilated body littering the area. In Haru's mind, when time seemed to slow down like that, his brain would become aggravated. How long had he been running for? It didn't feel very long. Why were the docks not in view yet? Was there something wrong? Those questions swirled in Haru's brain. And then there was that small part, that little piece of Haru, that didn't care how much time went by. If he's trying to focus on his mission, the amount of time it takes to get from one place to the next shouldn't matter.

But, of course, Haru's brain liked to make things a bit difficult for him.

When the sails of the ships came into view, a sense of relief washed over Haru. He never thought he'd see anything so magnificent. At least, until a sharp, burning pain swept over him.* The feeling entered his back shoulder, quickly spreading to Haru's back in a matter of seconds. The pain itself was enough to cause him to stumble, to almost drop the Small Lady, but he caught his footing and kept running. He felt a dampness cover his shoulder and run down his back and side. He couldn't afford to stop, not even for an injury.

They've found us, Haru thought. His breathing became more labored the more he ran. He stumbled more on his footing, the pain becoming more intense. But he couldn't stop. Not yet. The ships looked so close and Haru was so determined. He couldn't let those Kiri shinobi get him when he was that close.

The sounds of footfalls echoed behind Haru. They were fast, quickly approaching him. Before he could do anything, before he could process what was going on, another burning, sharp pain shot through Haru's body. Only that new pain came in the back of his leg, causing him to fall and skid on his knees. Haru did everything in his power to not cry out in pain. The Small Lady seemed to do enough crying for the both of them, anyway. Looking down at her, Haru felt his heart clench. Tears were running down her face, her nose scrunched up and her eyes squeezed shut. Her mouth was wide open, screeches and wails came out, probably the loudest sound Haru ever heard aside from his breathing in that moment.

"You thought we wouldn't find you?" A Kiri shinobi stalked in front of Haru. His face was covered, only his eyes were visible, and that was the most frightening part. The Kiri shinobi's eyes were wide and somewhat bloodshot, looking similar to that of a wild animal. "It's a good thing that brat gave you away," the shinobi cackled. "Who knows what kind of trouble you'd cause if you escaped."

Haru pursed his lips. His shoulder was in immense pain, the blood pouring from it causing his clothes to his skin. His arms trembled from the weight of that pain. And his leg, that was something else entirely. The weapon lodged in Haru's leg was firmly in there, adding a new wave of pain with every twitch. The blood from his leg wound started to gather, drenching his skin and pants.

"I have to say, though," the shinobi grumbled, "killing all of you was easier than I thought."

Taking out a kunai, the shinobi spun it around a couple times before aiming it at Haru's head.

You've got to do something, Haru thought. You've got to protect the Small Lady. It's your duty. Don't give up just yet.

"Sacred Jutsu: Fire of the Heavens!" The cry was so sudden, so unexpected. And, at the same time, so was the shinobi bursting into flames. Haru watched, in utter confusion, as multicolored flames consumed the shinobi, causing him to cry and fall to the ground, writhing in pain. The sounds of someone landing on the ground caused Haru to flinch slightly. He didn't dare turn his head, frightened and anxious on what he'd see. The smell of the burning shinobi started to hang heavily in the air, the flames lasting for a few more seconds before vanishing. "I've got to say, Haru," a female voice stated, "you gave me quite the scare."

Haru's eyes widened. His recognized that voice. Turning his head slightly, he could see the form of a woman beside him. Long blonde hair with a mischievous twinkle in her green eyes. She still wore the traditional outfit of a spiritual healer. "Hana?" Haru exclaimed, his voice trembling. "I thought you died."

Walking into his full view, Hana shook her head, a small smile on her face. "The benefits of being the High Priestess's healer," she sighed, "was reading a lot of her scrolls. Some of them had good defensive techniques."

"That move you used," Haru murmured, "was that one of those techniques?"

Hana simply nodded. "Only spiritual healers were allowed to read the High Priestess's scrolls," she explained. "To learn how to purify evil spirits, no matter how small, that might try and taint our Lady's mind." Gripped tightly in Hana's hand were her rosaries. Her dewdrop fire opal rosaries. "The Fire of the Heavens technique is to purify any evil spirits that manifest into a physical form."

With a weak chuckle, Haru shook his head.

"C'mon now," she said. "We need to get you and the child to the docks."

"You know of. . .?"

"Of course." A devious smile came across Hana's face. "You're not the only one the High Priestess would express her thoughts to."*

Quickly pulling the weapons out of Haru's body, with him poorly attempting at concealing his cries, Hana helped him up. While they made their way to the docks, the Small Lady had all but stopped crying.

(ノ´ヮ`)ノ*: ・゚

When they finally made it to the docks, Haru and Hana let out sighs of relief. There was no greater feeling than being able to finally leave the chaos of their homeland.

Approaching the first ship, possibly the smallest out of all of them, Hana knocked on the side. A minute went by before footsteps could be heard. When the two looked up, they were met with the frightened gaze of a crew member. "State your purpose," he said.

"I've got the child," Haru said, his voice trembling. He'd lost a great deal of blood already, his body was growing weak. "She requires travel to the second rendezvous point."

Scurrying away, Haru let out a shaky breath. Hana had a firm hand on his shoulder, keeping him steady while keeping an eye out. A board was let down, allowing access to the ship.

"Come on," Hana murmured, gently leading her companion to the ship.

"I don't remember the High Priestess saying anything about a healer," the crew member sneered. His eyes narrowed almost condescendingly at Hana, causing her lips to purse.

"I'm here helping a friend." Hana's response was clipped as she scrutinized him, as well. "The child is safe, that's all that matters."

With a scoff, the member rolled his eyes. "He'll know what to do with her," he said. "The ship's ready to go."

Gently removing Hana's hand from his shoulder, Haru made his way to the entrance below deck. He was limping, his body slowly going limp.*

"Haru, wait." Hana hurried over to where he'd stopped. She handed him her rosaries. "This will provide the protection she'll need."

"I can't. . .," Haru said.

"Listen, once she's old enough, she'll know what to do with them. She's the daughter of the High Priestess, after all. It should come naturally."

With a sigh, Haru nodded and took the rosaries. Hana had a point. The Small Lady was the child of the most powerful woman in the Land of Heavens. She'd know what to do with it.

"And you," Hana exclaimed, whipping her head in the direction of the crew member, "let's get this started."


(A/N):

First off, I'd like to apologize for how long it took to post this chapter. I know, it's ridiculous, but here it is! Hopefully you guys can forgive me. But, in the meantime, please leave constructive criticism! I'd love to get some feedback from you guys.

Do I own anything in the Naruto Universe? No. No I don't. All I own are my OCs, my subplots, and an interest in history. If you've got ideas for an OC or a subplot, PM me or leave a review. I'll add them in as soon as possible.

Side Note: "So, for any of you who may watch The Walking Dead, Rick Grimes has officially been written off the show. I want to say he's still alive, or that it is implied, in some way, he's not dead, like the writers left it open to interpretation, but I don't really know. I haven't watched the show since halfway through season 8. All I know is that Andrew Lincoln, who played Rick, is no longer in the show. And if, in some way, Rick didn't die, I believe Andrew Lincoln expressed he has no interest in returning to the show. But, supposedly, there is going to be a Walking Dead movie trilogy that will have Rick in it. Which I think is odd.

I don't know.

But, on the topic of Walking Dead actors and whatnot, Scott Wilson, who played Hershel Greene in the earlier seasons of the show, died recently. I found that to be extremely heartbreaking because, 1. Scott Wilson was a talented actor; and 2. Hershel was one of my favorite characters. For those of you who had heard of the death might think of it as somewhat old news, but I thought it was something that could get a bit of acknowledgement.

What kinds of thoughts do you guys have? What are your thoughts with Rick being off the show? If The Walking Dead team honestly thinks a movie trilogy is in their future, how do you think that'll pan out?"

Leave a random fact or story in the reviews. Only if you want to, though.

Thank you all so, so much!

Susannah Cruz